Barcelona’s hierarchy are reportedly kicking themselves over their ‘historic mistake’ to allow Estevao sign for Chelsea following the youngster’s magnificent performance in the Champions League.
Estevao has proven an instant hit at Stamford Bridge, stepping up in the absence of Cole Palmer to establish himself as Enzo Maresca’s most potent attacking weapon in an outstanding start to his Chelsea career.
The Blues reached an agreement with Palmeiras to sign Estevao in 2024 before sending the 18-year-old back to his boyhood team to continue his development last term – a decision which has proven a masterstroke.
Having shown glimpses of his extraordinary potential in the early stages of the campaign, Estevao has proceeded to go from strength to strength, scoring five goals in his last nine appearances for his new club.
The Brazilian has also been in scintillating form at international level, netting four times in his last four matches for his country to cement his spot in Carlo Ancelotti’s plans ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
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The teenager managed to outshine Lamine Yamal at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night and his piece of solo brilliance to double Chelsea’s lead further underlined just why he is so highly rated across the globe.
But while Chelsea fans can hardly believed the gem they have unearthed, the wonder strike just served as a reminder to Barcelona bosses of the talent they had let slip through their fingers.
According to Spanish newspaper AS, Barcelona came ‘within a hair’s breadth’ of signing Estevao and ‘already regret’ allowing the forward to escape their clutches when he was still at Palmeiras.
The report states that Barca scouts watched Estevao on numerous occasions in Brazil and the missed opportunity is now viewed as a ‘historic mistake’ at the Camp Nou.
The CIES Football Observatory claim Estevao could now be worth in excess of £104million. It comes 18 months after Chelsea signed the Brazil international from Palmeiras for an initial fee of just £29m.
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After Estevao’s midweek heroics, his agent, Andre Cury, revealed Barca had multiple chances to sign his young client – but had to pull out of a proposed deal due to their precarious financial situation.
‘In 2018 I started doing reports on Estevao,’ Cury told Cadena SER.
‘In 2019, I took Eric Abidal (Barcelona’s former sporting director) to Brazil to watch one of his matches and you could already see when he was 11 years old that he was different and that he wanted to be a Ballon d’Or winner.’
Metro at the Match: Chelsea 3-0 Barcelona
Metro’s Ben Fleming breaks down the action with the winners and losers from Stamford Bridge:
Neto impresses in new role
Given the start as the central striker with Joao Pedro and Liam Delap benched, Pedro Neto was a livewire up in attack. A lack of composure let him down at points, but deploying him centrally could be a great option to provide Estevao with more minutes from the start.
Estevao outshines Yamal
Only 18, but Estevao already looks like a man for the big occasion. A winner against Liverpool last month and now a sublime goal to virtually put this game to bed. The Brazilian easily won the battle of the teenage sensations.
Cucurella the cult hero
A faultless display from Cucurella at left-back. Provided plenty of support to Garnacho in the final third, and kept his fellow countryman Lamine Yamal quiet for virtually the entire 90 minutes. Revered by the fans who sang his name all night long.
Full Chelsea ratings: Sanchez 7, Gusto 6, Fofana 7, Chalobah 7, Cucurella 8.5, James 6, Caicedo 7, Estevao 9, Fernandez 6, Garnacho 6, Neto 7. Subs: Santos 7, Delap 6, Gittens N/A, Acheampong N/A, George N/A.
Yamal kept quiet
Lost his battle up against Cucurella and struggled to have any real impact on the game. Not helped by his side going down to ten men, but a visit to London to forget for the supremely talented teen, who made way to jeers from all four sides of Stamford Bridge.
Awful Araujo
The rank opposite of a captain’s display from Ronald Araujo. Picked up his first yellow for dissent and sent for an early bath before the half-time whistle for a clumsy challenge on Cucurella. Cost his team.
Full Barcelona ratings: Joan García 5, Kounde 6, Cubarsi 5, Araujo 3, Balde 5; Eric García 5, De Jong 6, Fermin 6, Yamal 5, Lewandowski 5, Ferran Torres 5. Subs: Rashford 5, Raphinha 5, Christensen 5, Martin N/A, Olmo N/A.
Cury added: ‘I’ve always talked about him and now what I said is starting to come true.
‘I spoke with Barcelona about Estevao in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. We went to their offices to offer the player because I believed he had a great future in world football.
‘However, Barca aren’t in a good financial position and sometimes a deal can’t be made. It’s a shame.’
Cury claims to have spoken directly with Barcelona sporting director Deco on several occasions, but the ‘atmosphere’ was never right for the club to sign Estevao.
‘The technical staff always approved of Estevao’s signing and we met with Deco more than once,’ he added.
‘But Deco is tied to the club and the club’s finances don’t allow for a signing for the future.
‘For example, with Vitor Roque, the club rushed into a mistake. A player can’t be signed and then, after four months, no longer be useful.
‘With what happened to Vitor, the atmosphere wasn’t right to sign Estevao.’
According to Cury, Estevao has a ‘special affection’ for Barcelona and would be capable of playing alongside Yamal in the same team.
Chelsea and there are no plans regarding a move to the Camp Nou at this stage.
‘Think of the Neymar-Messi duo… it’s better than just having Messi or just having Neymar,’ he said.
‘Estevao has five years left on his contract and is enjoying himself at Chelsea.
‘He has a special affection for Barca.’
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